Bill > A07326

This bill establishes the New York State Park Adopt-a-Trail Stewardship Program, which allows the state parks commissioner to enter into agreements with individuals, non-profit groups (specifically 501(c)(3) parks' friends groups), and community organizations to help preserve, maintain, and enhance trails in state-owned parks. The program enables participants to engage in activities such as remedying vandalism, removing litter, maintaining trails, providing interpretive services, performing landscape maintenance, and installing or repairing trail infrastructure like benches and kiosks. Participants can receive recognition through signage, with trail marker signs limited to five inches in diameter and displaying the sponsor's name on no more than 25% of the sign. The bill also creates a dedicated State Park Adopt-a-Trail Stewardship Program Fund to support these efforts, with the important stipulation that the program cannot displace current park employees or interfere with existing labor agreements. The commissioner retains discretion in selecting which trails can be sponsored and has the ability to modify or terminate stewardship agreements. The program aims to enhance trail maintenance and community engagement in state parks while providing a structured, collaborative approach to trail stewardship.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7326